Revelers sashayed about the Omni Shoreham wrapped in rainbow-colored feather boas, gesturing with Martina-tinis, the gala’s complimentary hot pink cocktail named for the Chair’s Award recipient, Martina Navratilova, in hand. Lime green and hot pink covered anything that didn’t move.

I imagine this what the Washington Blade had in mind when it nominated the Dare to Be gala as the best place to meet women in Washington, D.C.; that, and the overwhelming number of lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals at a single event.

The 2012 election season is approaching. The world probably isn’t going to end, but it sure could become a lot more restrictive.

Activists from Join the Impact Chicago, GetEQUAL and Video Action League were Arrested After Refusing to Leave the Bureau Without a Marriage License

I personally think of queer activism — in my definition, any and all attempts, on any scale, that an individual makes to better the world for LGBTs — as a group effort akin to building a city. If you are building a city, you will want parks and schools. You would not ask a math teacher to plan a playground. You would not ask a construction foreman to coach softball. But the second one enters the so-called “activist” arena, their individual skills, intentions and decisions go the way of the dodo. No sooner will a person announce their desire to try and help than six others will pop up to tell them exactly how they’re doing it wrong.

Robert, from the blog ‘Walk The Road: One Common Goal’ shares his story, and reminds us all that we are not in this alone.

Are you feeling like your voice is underrepresented on TNG?

But with so many openly gay famous people, are we at the point now where not everyone has to be an outspoken advocate? Or is it still irresponsible to shy away from activism?

The Characters Unite campaign is a movement committed to combating intolerance, prejudice, discrimination and hate, and to promoting greater acceptance, understanding and mutual respect. We would love for you to participate by taking a pledge to stand against discrimination. For every pledge made over the next four week, USA Network will donate $1 to GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign and other non-profit partners.

Bullies rely on us being afraid, intimidated and viewing them as bigger than life. What a joke. I now know how to effectively deal with them and it is my honor to share my wisdom with all the folks who, like Fannie Lou Hamer, are sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Gay rights activist groups plan to rally at noon outside of the U.S. Capitol for the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. The protest comes after the repeal failed 57-40 in the Senate. Democrats needed 60 votes in order to end the fillibuster.